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Topic: approach versus departure control (Read 16808 times)

I fly out of PDK, Atlanta airspace.- one year now airplane SEL with instrument rating completed in May- so hopefully I am not supposed to already know this- : I routinely talk with approach and departure control - same frequency , just call it differently depending on whether approaching or departing (duh). Question: Are different controllers actually working the same frequency, or is one person both "departure" and "approach" control at the same time. If so, why does it matter which I call up on? Just interested in knowing the back-end of what seems to be a very well orchestrated flight handling process. (one nice thing about learning to fly out of PDK is that busy airports don't worry me).

The best explanation I can give is that if you check in as 'Atlanta Departure N1234 1000 climbing to 2000 off of Peachtree.' They know where to look for you. If you said ' Atlanta Approach N1234 1000 climbing to 2000.' It would probably take a few seconds longer to locate you.

In the long run it really dosen't matter as long as all the info you give is correct.

Occasionally they will have different controllers manning the departure sector and the approach sector. When things are quieter, they will combine the sectors and the same controller will be wearing both hats, so to say.

Im sure the controller isnt too fussed about whether you call approach or departure, just as long as your calling the correct freq. If your really ever in doubt wherever your flying just call using the first name ( so to speak ).

There will only be one individual working that sector (NE satellite, 126.97). Hartsfield does have dedicated arrival/departure controllers and sectors, but to the best of my knowledge, the sectors covering all of the airports around Atlanta do not have any dedicated departure positions. Many of the turbojet aircraft departing PDK, FTY, RYY, MGE, etc., will often be handed off to the departure sector(s) for ATL, but they still talk to the appropriate satellite controller first.